Very disturbing article in Sunday's New York Times in which Matt Groening says The Simpsons "has almost reached its halfway point, which means another 17 years." 10 years ago I never thought I'd say this, but unless there is an extreme revitalization, I don't think I can take another 17 years. It has become so tedious to watch every week, and yet I'm compelled to watch it every week just because it is The Simpsons and it earned my constant viewership thanks to seasons 3-8 (and the first episode of 9). But looking into the future, it will be a sad sight indeed to see me as a 42-year-old, sitting in front of my TV on Sunday night, lamenting the days when the jokes were the least bit amusing.
And speaking of freshness, I'm bothered by the fact that critics are saying the show has vastly improved over the past couple seasons due to a renewed freshness of stories. Just because a plot is current doesn't make it funny, and the fact that they are blowing chances to satirize topical issues is so frustrating and aggravating.
It's definitely time to put this show out of its misery.